Answers by Stephanie Ruzzo

Yes and this is actually very common. Real estate is licensed by state so your Maryland agent typically cannot represent you in North Carolina unless they are licensed there as well. That said this is exactly how many relocations are handled. Your agent helps you sell your current home and connects you with a trusted agent in your new area while coordinating everything so the process feels seamless. This is actually one of the reasons I love being with RE/MAX. I have a network of agents all over the country and even globally that I can confidently connect my clients with. I was just recently in Ocean City staying at a fellow agent’s condo who is licensed in Maryland. Those relationships matter because it means I can help ensure you are in good hands on both sides of your move not just the sale.

I’m really sorry you’re going through this. But having these conversations now is thoughtful and will make things much easier later. I also have an aging mother that I care for and I’m navigating some of these same considerations myself, so my heart truly goes out to you. From a home sale perspective, the most important thing is understanding how the property is titled and who has authority to act. Ask if there’s a will, who the executor is and whether the home is in her name alone or in a trust. You’ll also want to know where to find key documents like the deed, mortgage info, tax bills, insurance policy and any records of improvements or permits. Having access to accounts for utilities and the mortgage (if there is one) will also help you manage things smoothly. On the financial side, it’s helpful to understand what debts exist, what accounts are in her name, and who the beneficiaries are. After she passes, the ability to sell will depend on probate (if there’s a will) or estate administration, so knowing which attorney she’s worked with (or lining one up now) can save a lot of time. It’s not an easy conversation but approaching it as “getting everything organized so I can handle things the way you’d want” usually helps make it a little easier.

Great question and one I see more often lately. Renting your home can be a smart move but it is not as passive as people think. Along with rental income comes responsibility. You are now the one handling maintenance, repairs, tenant communication and potential vacancies. It is important to know what your home would realistically rent for and whether that covers your expenses like mortgage, taxes, insurance and upkeep. If it does not, you are covering the difference each month. A few things people do not always think about are landlord tenant laws, which can be very tenant friendly depending on your state, how you will handle repairs or emergencies and whether you want to manage the property yourself or hire someone. There are also tax considerations, so it is worth having a conversation with an accountant. It can be a great long term strategy, but only if it fits your lifestyle and you go into it with a clear plan.

Great question. At this point, professional photos and video are a necessity and should be one of the very first steps in your marketing. Most buyers are seeing your home online before anything else, so if the visuals do not immediately capture their attention, they may never schedule a showing. But strong visuals are just the starting point. A well-curated marketing plan should also include SEO-driven listing descriptions and strategic online posts that help your home get found and stand out. It is not just about putting a home on the market, it is about positioning it in a way that creates interest, drives traffic and ultimately leads to stronger offers (giving you more power and choice).

Great question. A lot of this depends on location. In a place like Florida, screened-in porches are often expected because of the climate and tend to add strong appeal. In more seasonal markets like New York, the value can vary more depending on buyer preference and how the space is used. Either way, you’re typically getting back a portion of the cost, not all of it, so a $70K investment likely won’t come back dollar for dollar. I usually tell clients to think of this as a lifestyle upgrade more than a pure return play. If you’ll enjoy it for a few years, it can absolutely make your home more appealing when you sell. Just be mindful of your neighborhood so you’re not over-improving for the area.

Great question, and I understand wanting to keep costs as low as possible. The truth is, you don’t have to do staging, deep cleaning or major updates to sell your home. But there’s a difference between saving money upfront and leaving money on the table. Buyers today are comparing your home to everything else online, so presentation and pricing strategy play a big role in how much you ultimately walk away with. As for selling on your own or using a discount brokerage, those are options. Just know that homes sold without strong marketing, pricing strategy and negotiation often sell for less or take longer to sell. The goal shouldn’t be to spend the least, it should be to net the most. Sometimes that means being strategic about where to invest and where not to. A good agent will guide you on what actually matters so you’re not spending unnecessarily, but also not costing yourself more in the long run.